There is mounting speculation about goalkeeper David de Gea’s future at Manchester United. The Spaniard is constantly being linked with a potential move to Real Madrid this summer, per the Metro.

It would be a huge blow for United to lose their star goalkeeper, who was named Players' Player of the Year at the club's end of season award ceremony on Tuesday. He has made crucial saves at crucial times to win points almost single-handedly.

Louis van Gaal has had repeated injury problems with his defenders and has had to switch the central defensive partnership regularly but one ever-present, until he picked up an injury against Arsenal at the weekend, has been de Gea.

After coming to England as a scrawny, lightweight looking 20-year-old, De Gea has developed a presence between the sticks and now looks formidable in one-on-one situations and on crosses into the box.

De Gea has been in astonishing form for a long time now but is still yet to sign a new contract at the club and it would not be a surprise if he wanted to move back to Madrid, his hometown where his girlfriend lives.

It says it all that United have made the third most errors leading to attempts on goal (29) but only (3) have actually led to a goal - the second lowest in the division. That is mostly down to de Gea’s expertise between the sticks.

In terms of stand-out moments from De Gea’s 2014-15, there have been many but the string of saves he made in the 3-0 win over Liverpool in December has to be a highlight, as does the save from Leighton Baines’ penalty against Everton and the recent wonder-stop from Glenn Murray’s point blank strike to all but secure United Champions League football next year.

Those moments of genius from the goalkeeper have seen him named in the PFA Team of the Year and come third in the Player of the Year category, something which is unprecedented for a goalkeeper.

Louis van Gaal has been equally as impressed with de Gea’s contribution and believes he has been United’s best player this season.

“Which player has impressed me the most?” Van Gaal said to the Mirror. “I think he is enormously popular with the fans, so I think David de Gea.

“In the beginning of the season, as a manager, I observed him, I analysed him and I have seen his progress in the season and it has been fantastic development of him. As a manager you look from that perspective, and that's why I think David de Gea has impressed me the most, because of his development.”